Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Ending

A fog hung over the sky around the little dune, so thick that even the first light could not dispel it, people could not see each other four paces away, and the branches of trees were drowned in this thick vapor. "It does seem haunted!" exclaimed the corporal. "I believe it," replied M. François. "However, it should be hoped that in a few hours' time, when the sun is shining, the fog will eventually clear and people will be able to look in the direction of Malegir. Therefore, the only thing to do is to wait patiently and save food that cannot be regenerated more than ever. You should eat part of it, but in fact, it is only enough for two days.As for thirst, the salt water brought up from the feet of "Tell" can quench it anyway.

Three hours passed like this.The noise gradually died down.With a gust of wind blowing and rustling the branches, and a helping sun, there was no doubt that this thick cloud of fog would soon be lifted. At last the swirling mist began to thin out, and the tree showed the skeleton of its branches, and skeleton was the right word, for there was nothing but dead trees, without a single fruit or leaf.Later, the fog was blown completely to the west by a gust of wind. Thus, Malegir was exposed to a wide open space. Its surface, due to the subsidence of the bottom of this salt marsh, has partly been submerged in water, and a band of water about 50 meters wide surrounds "Tell".Over there, in more places, another layer of salt frost appeared.Then, in the lowlands, in the middle of the long, sandy plains whose raised parts remain dry, the water reflects the rays of the sun.

Captain Aldigon and the engineer turned their gazes to the horizon, and M. Descharais said: "There must have been some major seismic phenomenon... the bottom of the salt marsh sank, and water from the subsoil poured into the salt marsh..." "Then, when the road becomes impassable, we should start, immediately!" said the captain. Everyone got down from their positions, but at that time they were all stunned by this terrible scene. Two kilometers to the north, a group of animals from the northeast appeared, fleeing desperately.Nearly a hundred beasts of prey and ruminants, lions, antelopes, argali, and buffaloes, fled for their lives west of Jared, must have been brought together by a common fear that would destroy both the strong and the weak , these panicked animals, only wanting to escape the danger posed by the rout of Jared's quadrupeds.

"So what's going on over there?" the corporal asked repeatedly. The engineer was also speechless on this issue. A North African cavalryman shouted at that time: "Are these beasts coming our way?" "How to escape?" said another. At this time, the herd of beasts was less than a kilometer away, and they were approaching at a fast speed.However, they didn't seem to find the six people who took refuge on "Tell" during their frantic escape. They ran to the left and finally disappeared in the whirlpool of dust. In addition, according to the orders of Captain Aldigan, his companions were all sleeping at the foot of the tree, so as not to be discovered.At that time, when they saw thousands of birds spread their wings and fled to the edge of Malegir, a large group of flamingos also fled to the distance.

"What happened?" Corporal Pistash kept asking. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the cause of this rare mass fleeing phenomenon soon became clear. To the east, the fluid layer began to expand towards the surface of the salt marshes, and the sandy plains were immediately flooded, but only with a shallow layer of water.The salt and frost gradually disappeared until, as far as the eye could see, a large lake was formed, reflecting the sun's rays. "Is it possible that the waters of the Gulf may be pouring into Malegil?" asked Captain Aldigon. "I no longer doubt," replied the engineer, "that the noise we heard was from an earthquake... the ground shook violently, and the resulting subsidence of the foundations of Meregil, possibly including the entire district of Jared... …After the Gabes Ridge breaks, the sea will reach Malegil!"

Such an explanation must be correct.People are right in front of the earthquake phenomenon, and its importance has been revealed.From the effect of these earthquakes it was possible that the Sahara Sea would form itself, a vastness such as Captain Rudel had never dreamed of. In addition, a new noise resounded in the distance, spreading into space.Not only does it pass through the ground, but the expanding sound travels through the air. Suddenly, there was a cloud of dust in the northeast corner, and a group of horsemen flashed out of the dust, fleeing like wild animals fleeing for their lives.

"Adiyar!" cried Captain Aldigun. right!The leader of the Tuareg, since his accomplices fled with him as fast as he could, to escape the devilish vortex that sprang up behind him and spread out over the whole of the salt marshes. Two hours had passed since the Beast, and the sun had disappeared in a short while.Was not 'Tyre', as an island in this newly formed sea, the only refuge afforded to Adiyar in the face of rising waters? The Tuaregs and Adiyar were only 1 km away from "Tell", and they must have seen it, so they ran towards it.Will they be able to reach Tyre before the swell?In this case, what will happen to the escapee who has been hiding in the bushes of the island since last night?

But the water rose faster and became a real torrent, continuous and irresistible, with such speed that not even the best horse could surpass it. At that time, the captain and his companions were witnesses to this terrible scene: nearly a hundred people were swept into the white foam by the swell.Then the hordes of riders and horses disappeared, and in the last gleam of dusk all that could be seen were some corpses being swept west of Malegir by the great waves. On this day, when the sun had completed its journey of the day and night, it was setting from the horizon! ... What a dreadful night it was for the fugitives!Though first they encountered wild beasts and then Tuareg bandits, they feared flooding their sanctuary.

But it was impossible to get out of there, and they heard with horror the water rising slowly in the night full of crashing waves... This night, everyone imagined that under the strong east wind, the sound of rolling waves could be heard endlessly.The sky was filled with the cries of countless seabirds who now soared over the seas of Malegil. It was daylight again.The rising water did not exceed the highest point of the refuge, and it seemed to have reached its highest point, filling the salt marshes to the brim. The surface of the sea is clean.The situation for the escapees seems disheartening.Their food was gone today, and it was unavailable on this deserted island.run away?What tool do you use?Build a raft out of the trees here and use it to escape?But how to cut down a tree? . . . and even with the raft, would they be able to propel it with the dreadful winds that are so common here?Will it not be pushed back to the broad shores of Malakil by currents that no man can resist? ...

"It will be very difficult to get out of here," said Captain Aldigon, after looking across the salt marshes. "Hey! My Captain," echoed the corporal, "but is anyone here to save us? . . . we don't know . . . " A day passed and still no change, like Larsa, Malegir became a lake, that's for sure.If the slopes of the canal break down here and there, where will the flood spread? Wouldn't Nefta and other towns be flooded during the earthquake phenomenon or the ensuing swells?In the end, will the disaster spread to the entire Jared area, and even Gabes Bay?

However, evening drew near, and after breakfast Captain Altegan and his companions had nothing more to eat.As soon as they gained a foothold on "Tell", they discovered that there were no fruits on the branches, just dead trees.There was not a single bird, not even a nest, that flew sideways and did not roost on this tiny island.Even if you can eat a starling to relieve the pain of heartbreak, there is no such thing.If there are a few fish in the new sea water, it is pistash talking.The second is thirst. Since this layer of water has now been mixed with sea water, how can it be quenched? However, at half past seven, when the sun was about to go down, Monsieur François, looking to the northeast, adjusted in a surprised tone: "A wisp of smoke..." "A wisp of smoke?..." Corporal Pistash asked aloud. "A wisp of smoke," repeated M. François. All eyes turned in the direction they were pointing. Yes, it was indeed a plume of smoke, and the wind was blowing it toward "Tell," and it was seen quite distinctly. The fugitive was speechless, for fear that the plume of smoke would disappear, and that the ship would turn away from the place from which it came, away from "Tell". In this way, the explanation made by the engineer is correct!His vision came true. From 26 to 27 days, the water of Gabes Bay has spread all over the ground in the eastern part of Jared!Henceforth, since it is certain that ships can navigate along the waterway that runs through the lagoon and the salt marshes, the little sandbar is connected with Malegir. After 25 minutes, the boat appeared, and everyone saw its chimney appearing on the horizon, and then the hull appeared again, the first boat to and from the new lake! "Signal! . . . signal!" said one of the cavalrymen. How did Captain Altegan show the presence of escapees at the narrow apex of the island?Was the hill high enough for the fleet to see?Is the ship that came into view still more than two kilometers to the northeast? Besides, after the short twilight comes night, and soon the smoke will be gone. Then, a North African cavalryman couldn't help shouting in disappointment: "We're lost!..." "Help...help!" said Captain Aldigon. "When it gets dark, we won't see our signal, and we'll see night!" He added: "Light the tree...light the fire..." "Yes, Captain!" Pistash exclaimed affirmatively. "Light the trees! They'll light up like matches." In an instant, the scythe blazed, and the branches fell to the ground and piled up at the foot of the trunk. The flames arose and burned the branches above, emitting dazzling light, dispelling the darkness around the island. "If they don't see our blazing fire, everyone on this ship is blind!" cried the corporal. However, the fire burning in this pile of branches could not last more than an hour.All the dry wood burned away quickly, and when the last light went out they did not know whether the ship was near the Tyre, for it signaled its approach by no cannon. Now, dark night enveloped the island.The time was ticking, and the fugitives could not hear any sirens, roars of propellers, or splashes of oars. When Dongfang showed his fish belly, and when "Cutting Heart" roared vigorously, Pistash cried out: "It's there...it's there!" The corporal was not mistaken. A two-thousand-ton boat with a French flag flying from its roof was parked there.When the unnamed isle caught fire, the commander changed direction and circled to the southwest.But out of prudence, when the fire on the island was extinguished, he dropped anchor overnight in deep water. Captain Altegan and his comrades called out, and soon heard the voices in response. They recognized the voices of Vieter and the sergeant major in an approaching skiff. This is the Tunisian small-tonnage frigate "Bernashir". Arriving in Gabes just 6 days ago, it is the first boat to sail the new ocean with great audacity. A few minutes later, the boat leaned against the foot of the small island that had rescued the fugitives. The captain hurriedly hugged the lieutenant in his arms, and the sergeant was also hugged into the arms of Corporal Pistash, while "Cut Heart" jumped to its master's neck.As for Mr. François, Nicole managed to recognize this bearded man. Of course, the first thing to do on board the "Bernahill", for Mr. Francois, was to shave beard. This is what happened 48 hours ago, and it went like this: An earthquake has just shaken the entire area east of Jared between Gaines Bay and Milegil.After the ridge of Gabes broke, more than 200 kilometers of ground collapsed, and water from the small sandbar bay flooded into canals large enough to hold them.Therefore, these waters not only flooded the entire area of ​​Larsa, but also flooded a large area of ​​low-lying land in Feijie-Tris.Fortunately, some towns, such as Lajama, Nefta, Tozeur and others, were not flooded because they were located high enough to be marked on the map as seaports. As for Malegir and Hingiz, they have become the central island.But even if Zanfiq survived, at least the leader Adiyar and his gang of robbers were suddenly attacked by the swell until they were finally finished. Formerly Lieutenant Vieter, he tried in vain to find Captain Aldigon and his companions.He searched around Malakir, which is close to the construction site at 347 kilometers. There were no workers on the construction site. The survey team in Puanta waited for the escort sent by Biskra. The expedition traveled through various Tuareg tribal areas. But there he meets the drivers and two North African cavalrymen who, thanks to an accident, have escaped the plot of the two chieftains. However, he was in the city when the earthquake occurred, and when the flood came and the "Bernahill" was able to sail from Gabes, and when the commander of the ship came here to seek news about Larsa and Malegil, He's still there. The commander of the frigate quickly accepted the lieutenant's visit and let him and the sergeant captain board the ship to understand the situation.The most urgent thing is to find Captain Aldigan, Engineer Dessalay and their companions.Therefore, the "Berna Hill" sailed at full speed, and after passing through Larsa, it sailed on the waters of Malegir, in order to find the oasis on its shore that was not flooded by the flood and the oasis of Farfaria. However, on the second night of sailing on the waters of Malegir they were awakened by the light of the fire, and the commander decided to sail in the direction of "Tell", but in this new ocean, he was not equipped much, although Lieutenant Vieter Plead, still get in touch with Kojima after daybreak, and now, the escapee is safe and sound on board. Since the frigate had taken in new passengers, it had gone by way to Tozeur, where the admiral wanted to place them, and from there, to send someone on the fast track to report before they resumed their expedition to the border of Malegir. Give yourself sir. Thus, when M. de Charley and his companions disembarked at Tozeur, Captain Ardigan found the members of his detachment again.How happy they were to be reunited with his comrades! A dispatch from Tunisia warned that the detachment could not be found in Biskra.For this reason, Puanta and his personnel were forced to return to Biskra, requiring new training. It was in Biskra that the old man "Rivalry" saw "Cutting Hearts" again. It is impossible to express how many expressions of satisfaction these two friends exchanged. All this tended to happen among excited crowds, but they were always overstimulated by all the events which had been caused by the Flood, which was closely connected with the original survey of the New Ocean. Suddenly, the engineer found a stranger opposite him, using his own elbow to make a way for himself. He first bowed deeply to him, and quickly said to him with a strong foreign accent: "Have I the honor of speaking to M. de Charais, to himself?" "I think so..." replied M. de Charley. "Well then, sir, I have the honor to inform you that this is a genuine and official certificate of representation delivered to the parties in person, which is confirmed by the signature of Mr. President of the First Instance Court of Appeal, where the French overseas company is located, signed: French Consulate General Execution of the Arbitration Decision of the General Resident in Tunisia. In the margins the following note: 200 pages of records, 12 blanks on the reverse side, 3.75 francs received, including 10 centimes, with illegible signature. I am the trustee of the liquidator of the above company with full powers , especially in the case of damage to reputation, the power of mediation.—The said rights are indeed officially recognized. You need not be surprised, sir, since it works according to my position, I address you in their name: by the company You hereby warrant its use." In full flow, and gradually welling up of joy, since he had seen his companion again, and seen his business accomplished in such a miraculous manner, this man so stern, so methodical, so self-controlled, In the most difficult cases, for only a moment, he was again the same man who had been named the Joyful in the past, and at Center Court he, a major promoted in the same year, reproached his first-year students with the fanaticism of an old man.He said to his interlocutor in a playful tone: "Mr. Plenipotentiary Trustee, Adviser Friend Says: Rather You Take Sahara Action." He continued on the road during the festivities, and began estimating the budget for the new works, which would presumably be included in the report he wanted to give to the company's administration that day.